Mychal Threets brings library joy message to Missoula

MISSOULA, Mont. — The Missoula Public Library welcomed author and librarian Mychal Threets to talk about his new book and his message that libraries are for everyone.

Threets visited Missoula as part of an annual event from the Library Foundation. He spoke about his new book “I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy."

“I love libraries, I've gotten to hold a baby kangaroo at a library. I've gotten to pet a capybara at a library. I've gotten to be in a wrestling show at a library.” said Threets.

Kayla Whitaker, the library’s youth services manager, said Threets matched the library’s mission well. She said his focus on making libraries welcoming connected with how the Missoula Public Library serves the community.

“His message is libraries are for everyone and spreading library joy. And that is, to me, the main point of a library. Not just the children's department, but the library as a whole. Whether that's through books, using other resources, or just finding a comfortable place to sit. I think that really encapsulates the mission of Missoula Public Library,” said Kayla Whitaker.

Threets also shared a reminder for adults who think picture books are only for kids.

“They're big because they're intended for there to be two people to read them at the same time. They made them so that grown-ups and kids can read them simultaneously. So, picture books are very much for adults,” said Threets.

New episodes of “Reading Rainbow” are available on YouTube. The Missoula Public Library also had a calendar of events on its website.